Roman Polanski's statutory rape charge

However, he [filmmaker Roman Polanski] became embroiled in a scandal surrounding rape charges involving him and a 13-year-old daughter of an actress [...]. Polanski was initially charged with rape, suspicion of sodomy, child molestation and furnishing dangerous drugs to a minor; however, these charges were eventually reduced to statutory rape at the request of the victim's mother to avoid a trial. It was alleged the director drugged her with quaaludes and alcohol, and then proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. The sister of the girl heard her reporting the fact of sexual intercourse to her friend over the phone. [...]

On February 1, 1978, after pleading guilty to the charges, Polanski skipped bail and fled to France. France has a policy not to extradite its own citizens, which is reflected in the extradition treaty between France and the United States.

source: 'Statutory rape charge'; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Pola%C5%84ski; WikipediA; Polanski pleaded quilty on: 1 februari 1978